It's Tamale Time!

Photo: a trail at Ladder Canyon

Hey Everyone!

Well, I will be back in GP on Saturday for two weeks. Wahoo!

As for news in Mecca: This past week I screwed screws into steel for 2 days. I don't recommend it. It's awful. Then I assisted in sawing 2 by 4's to put onto peaks of roofs for roof tile. Yes, all the houses will be Spanish-style with stucco walls and tile roofs! Adorable. Then, I helped build wooden archways for the house porches. Everything is looking good! Today, we dug ditches in backyards and assembled pipes and sprinkler/irrigation systems. Then, we filled the holes back up! I have to admit, it went by pretty quick.

We only have 1.5 days of work left! Tomorrow, we work in the morning and then attend the CVHC (Coachella Valley Housing Coalition) staff Christmas party. Wahoo! Then we have work all day Thursday, then Friday we drive back to Sacramento at 6 am. FUN. But at least I'll be going home to see the fam and friends and Dan! So excited!

This weekend, we attended a Native American pow-wow in a casino in Indio. A strange setting, but it was such a cool experience. There were a bunch of vendors selling jewelry and crafts. Lots of turquoise and silver! And then, in the middle of the theater room, they had tons of people dressed in traditional costumes doing different dances. Apparently, it was a competition, and I was able to view the "fancy shawl" dance. There was also live drumming and chanting to accompany the dance. VERY cool. I wanted to run up and dance too! I think I was a bit underdressed...

Then, Monday, a few of us went on a hike to Painted Canyon/Ladder Canyon. This particular hiking trail has ladders to climb up the rocks and canyons. It was sooooo awesome! There was a part of the trail where we climbed these huge boulders and then took a ladder down into this canyon crevice barely three feet wide. It felt like Honey I Shrunk the Kids! Great movie.

We're really glad we were sent to Mecca/the Coachella Valley. It is such a gorgeous area. Mountain ranges on both sides (very close ones too!) and then this giant sea to the south. It's incredible. I'm sure not many people know about it. I would have never come here if it weren't for AmeriCorps. America is truly a beautiful, amazing country.

Alright, enough of the enlightenment. Things are going very well here, but I can't wait to come home and see everyone!

I hope everyone is well, and Feliz Navidad!

<3 anne

P.S. I'm getting interviewed for the gpnews so keep an eye out!